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Ouya hammers out details, upgrades to Android 4.2

The Kickstarted Ouya console has stepped closer to reality with an OS upgrade and its first printed circuit boards. The Ouya team gave two updates of the console's progress towards release.

"Our CAD models and SLAs (plastic prototypes that provide us with a physical look and feel of the product) are finished, and we moved out of the design phase and into development a couple of weeks ago," wrote Ouya CEO Julie Uhrman in the first update.

The first real version of the Ouya console.

"Last week was a huge milestone for us - we received our first development run of PCBs (Printed Circuit Boards) for the console. We're set to complete this EVT phase on time, and we're in sync with our December target for developer kits. Since these dev kits are still in pre-production phase, we'll build a limited quantity. Each one will be a collector's item - unique in design, build and appearance."

Ouya will now be using the new version of Android, Jelly Bean (4.2). The second update also outlined the system's use of 720p, 1080i, and 1080p, with widescreen aspect ratios. Games on the Ouya will be full screen, with no navigation bar. The system's controller will include standard gamepad buttons, a touchpad, a system button for pausing and system settings, and "no back, menu, or volume buttons".

Uhrman also revealed that any developers who missed out on the Kickstarter drive can still get in on the developer kit action.

"If you missed the Kickstarter drive, but you're still interested in an early version of the console that you can use as a Dev Kit, you're in luck. We're making a few extra. Please visit www.ouya.tv in the near future and order one (we'll let you know when it's available). Of course, they won't carry the same rewards as the Kickstarter Dev Kits, but you will receive a console, two controllers and early access to test your game on OUYA! These units will start shipping in the new year," she wrote.

@Steve: I think the key difference is how it is being built around what looks like will be a great controller, and then backed by an app store only stocking games tuned to work with the controller. That really does change the consumer experience - from 'hunt around for games that *work* on this console' to being able to look for games they actually like.

Craig, have you ever played Xenoblade or The Last Story on Wii? Also, I can include tons of real games on Wii other than those two (Metroid Prime, Zedal: Twilight Princess and Skyward Sword, No More Heroes, etc).

I'm with Steve here. I also don't see the point of this console. If you look from consumer point of view, there's no reason for them to buy this new machine. Most of them already owned smartphone and/or current gen console. OUYA doesn't offer anything more than what their phone and console/PC already offered. $99 price tag also doesn't help. The price doesn't matter as long as there is no game that consumer really want to play on this machine. Games sell console. This fact still stand no matter which console we looking at.

Edited 1 times. Last edit by Nuttachai Tipprasert on 4th November 2012 4:36am